Sheet-flow Erosion/Gully Repair

At this 6 acre rural property heavy storms cause rain water to sheet-flow from large neighboring properties, following the natural contour of the land. Run-off travels across an open field, then decends downhill in a torrent. Over time the resulting erosion has carved a 25' deep gully, which is in danger of reaching the water table and destabilizing the house foundation.

My design solution uses large scale swales and hugelkultur berms to intersect water flow, enabling the ground to absorb it before reaching the hillside.

Long logs, recently cut from trees located too close to the house, were transported to the site and placed in a series on contour, perpendicular to the water flow.

Swales were dug at the uphill side of the logs. The displaced soil was dumped on top of the logs to construct huge planting berms, or hugelkultur. Swales were filled with wood chips, leftover from the tree cutting. 

The fence line  (where the sheet-flow first enters the property) was planted with water-loving native trees to provide a suntrap, a windbreak and privacy. The entire site is protected by a deer fence.

Small check dams were built in the gully to slow water flow. Its banks were planted with red twig dogwood live stakes to stabilize the soil.

The 2 largest swales, seeded with native flowers, act as huge rain gardens. After a storm they absorb the bulk of the water in about 2 days, recharging the water table.

The berms located in the shade of the adjacent forest were planted with native shrubs. Those located in full sun were planted the first season with a soil boosting seed mix, and the next with perennial edible berries and fruit trees. 

For more information visit my website: patriciaceglia.com

Edible Bayscape at Seven Oaks Elementary School

Last fall I designed an Edible Bayscape for Seven Oaks Elementary School in Perry Hall, MD. Funded by Northrup Grumman, the project was sponsored by the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC), planned by school staff, and supported by the PTA and Baltimore County Public Schools. 

The site is an enclosed courtyard surrounded by six classrooms and the school library. A symmetrical design clearly distinguished pathways, which protect planting beds from tiny foot traffic. A perimeter border of Blue False Indigo encloses a variety of "outdoor rooms."

      Before

The canopy of a large Oak shelters an outdoor classroom. A magical spiral bed of native ground covers culminates at a sun dial. An ornamental bench is flanked by more native flowers that host beneficial insects. 3 cedar compost bins house decomposing leaves from the Oak tree. A circular herb garden compliments a modern sculpture, a memorial to a child who died. Raised linear beds, one for each grade accommodate vegetables. 


The Bayscape was installed in several work sessions by children, their parents, teachers, a local master gardner, volunteers from the neighboring senior center, and GVC interns. The site was cleared of weeds and grass, the soil loosened, leaf compost applied and the beds mulched. Wood chips define the pathways. Fall is a great time to plant, even though plants are going dormant. Roots become established during the winter, strengthening plants for their emergence in spring. 

After

This Bayscape will be maintained by children in the Seven Oak Elementary School's Garden Club, guided by a volunteer from the University of Maryland's Master Gardner program. 

For more information visit: 
patriciaceglia.com
gunpowdervalleyconservancy.org